
Originally presented in Daredevil as a mysterious group of undead ninjas, The Hand seemed poised to become a major threat in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, comparable to HYDRA. However, with each subsequent appearance, the organization lost its impact. By the time of The Defenders, its Japanese roots had been removed, its history rewritten as a breakaway group from K’un-Lun, and it was divided into five competing factions led by characters like Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver). The group’s skilled ninja warriors were also reduced to common criminals. The Hand’s plans ultimately failed in the finale of The Defenders when their headquarters collapsed, all their leaders died, and the source of their power—the Dragon’s bones—was removed from the MCU. This makes its reappearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day all the more unexpected.